Microsoft has politely informed us that next week's Xbox Live Arcade game is none other than
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One. It should be out by the time you're done saying the title, then. Developed by Hothead Games, in collaboration with mighty adventure game designer, Ron Gilbert, and the folks behind Penny Arcade, the game sees Gabe and Tycho leap out of their webcomic frames and into an episodic RPG adventure.
Even at 1,600 MS Points ($20), we don't think anything short of a clawshrimp attack will keep us away from this one.
{ May 13th 2008 at 12:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PojoMofo @ May 13th 2008 12:05PM
This seems cool and all, but $20 might be a little steep for this kinda thing IMO
Roofie @ May 13th 2008 12:09PM
I'll definitely be waiting for a drop in the price. I would have paid $10 for this game, but not more than that.
spoo @ May 13th 2008 12:10PM
$20 is hard to swallow on this one no matter how much I like Penny Arcade.
Moffka @ May 13th 2008 12:10PM
Why no PSN version? But yea... $20 does seem a bit steep.
Does the game have online multiplayer?
koehler83 @ May 13th 2008 12:11PM
I'd pay $20.. if I didnt have to drop a few hundred on a new platform first.
Kevin @ May 13th 2008 12:44PM
You're in luck then! You can get it for PC!
http://www.playgreenhouse.com/
Erwos @ May 13th 2008 12:13PM
$20? I just spent like $30 on FFCCMLAAK, so I'm game.
Drago Dracini @ May 13th 2008 12:15PM
SWEET! I better go get another 800 points.
herotop @ May 14th 2008 5:13PM
Ugh... PA is a cult of personality. At best their comics are funny 5% (maybe 10%) of the time. If I want to read smug humor I'll read The Onion.
I'd prefer a VG Cats game anyways...
Adam @ May 13th 2008 12:18PM
Twenty bucks is a whole lot to ask for an XBLA game. Considering the fact that Xbox Originals are only fifteen.
I'll wait to hear how long the game is, but at this point, I'm doubtful of my purchase.
BMErdin @ May 13th 2008 12:17PM
Will there be any sort of demo or trial of this? I am interested in it, but would like to test drive it first for that price.
dark_inchworm @ May 13th 2008 12:18PM
I would like to politely state that I do not like Penny Arcade. This has no bearing whatsoever on the news post, but like my peers I feel the need to state my opinion at every opportunity given. Now, I shall invite:
A) Less-polite people to agree
B) Less-polite people to disagree
D_Average @ May 13th 2008 12:33PM
Agreed. While a comic from them every now and then hits the mark, they're just too pretentious for their own good.
Geist @ May 13th 2008 12:44PM
I like Penny Arcade, if anything because of what they represent and accomplish for gamers, but half the time I enjoy Tycho's posts more than the actual comic itself, which is fine for me, since I am still entertained. But people have their tastes.
HotSoup @ May 13th 2008 12:19PM
$20 seems fair. I mean, it is a full game.
PojoMofo @ May 13th 2008 12:23PM
errrr no, its not, episodic content.
NotASenator @ May 13th 2008 12:22PM
It's 6-10 hours of gameplay.
T @ May 13th 2008 1:48PM
If it's 6-10 hours, and has (let's say) 3 episodes (trilogies seem to be the craze)...then would you justify a $60 purchase for a potentially 30 hr game?
Purple Haze @ May 14th 2008 3:17AM
Why does size matter? Portal was a $20 game on pc and I think anyone who bought it would be pleased with the purchase, it was just made even more awesome by being in the orange box.
ScottG13 @ May 13th 2008 12:25PM
The big question is how long it is and if its a slog or if its tight. I'll play $20 for 10 solid hours of fun RPG action. Especially for a crew of guys who have entertained me so well over the years.
Nate @ May 13th 2008 12:28PM
Gah, so jealous! Where's the PSN love?
NotASenator @ May 13th 2008 12:32PM
It will be released to the PC, Mac and Linux as well via Greenhouse:
http://www.playgreenhouse.com/
T @ May 13th 2008 1:48PM
Apparently Playstation 3 doesn't support the tech the game is built on.
Kevin @ May 13th 2008 12:42PM
I'm kinda surprised at the comments here, for the following reason (asked in a few questions):
How long have you been reading Penny Arcade? How many times have they asked you to pay for anything?
I've been reading for at least 5 years, have never been asked to pay anything, and don't feel the burning desire to ever buy one of their books.
So, a $10 game plus $10 to Mike and Jerry for 10 years of strips? In short, quit your bitchin'.
Geist @ May 13th 2008 12:48PM
You bring up a good point. But, you know me (Nick) and my magic Steam account, so I might just get it anyway. I think they mentioned using it a while ago?
Also buy the books, Tycho's commentary alone on some of the comics is worth it.
Michael @ May 13th 2008 12:52PM
Actually Kevin, in their first few years they were constantly asking fans to pay them -- they actually lived off of a donation system for at least a couple of years. People who donated had access to a special area with exclusive art and comics (I can't remember what this area was called). I'm not saying this is bad (I'm a huge PA fan) but yes, they have asked readers to give them money. It's not a new thing.
NotASenator @ May 13th 2008 12:59PM
It was called Club PA
koehler83 @ May 13th 2008 1:09PM
Meh.. PA is mostly hit or miss with a massive penchent for missing. I've mostly avoided them for the past 10 years and have only really been exposed to them via other, more interesting outlets, when relevance crossed.
That said, this looks like a cool game with a cool art style. It probably is worth $20.. but not on PC. Playing anything on PC means no big screen and no 7.1. If its not on my chosen platform, I cant support it.
Shawn @ May 13th 2008 12:54PM
I wonder when it's coming to PC, it was originally planned as PC only, maybe it's coming the same time? I want this for my laptop...
NotASenator @ May 13th 2008 12:58PM
See my comment above. It's coming to XBLA, PC, Mac and Linux at the same time.
Hotheads @ May 13th 2008 1:42PM
1) Xbox originals had a full retail life at full prices before coming at the end of their life to Live.
2) No other XBLA game of this size and scope has sim-launched on PC and Xbox Live. The ones that eventually get ported to XBLA have already had a full retail life like the Xbox originals.
3) It is a complete game and can be enjoyed as such. The story continues and you won't have to wait for a year to get the next game hence episodic versus sequel.
4) Not as many people seem surprised at $19.95 for PC but are surprised at 1600 points because they are conditioned to expect $10 or $15 at most. As already stated, unless you are going to wait months after launch for it to finally make its way to Live, the economics just don't work with such pricing for games that are trying to be more than the standard Arcade fare.
Digital distribution is arguably still in its infancy. For developers to have a go at it, platforms are going to need to support multiple pricing for different scope and style of games--if successful, developers and gamers benefit from a broader and more innovative selection of games. N+ is fantastic and a great price (I recommend everyone buy it) and if it were not for platforms like Live, it would not have grown from what it was originally. However, it was made for a small budget with a small group of guys and there are only so many of that kind of game that can be made. A story based game is a different beast.
Whether this game is worth $20 is going to be up to gamers at large to decide but for digital distribution to grow which I think is exactly what game development needs right now, things have to change.
RobLink (MKWii code : 0989 1866 6646) @ May 13th 2008 4:49PM
I had eyes for this, but:
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/pennyarcadeadventuresepisode1?q=penny%20arcade
I wouldn't plump for an 800 point XBLA title with that score, let alone at this price. If there's a demo I'll definitely give it a go though.
Hotheads @ May 13th 2008 6:53PM
You comment on not wanting to pay for an XBLA title with such a low score and then link to PC reviews? How about the first Xbox review from OXM instead:
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/943006.asp?q=penny%20arcade
And pretty much every Live title has a demo . . . I think it is a requirement.
RobLink (MKWii code : 0989 1866 6646) @ May 14th 2008 4:17PM
Far as I understand it, the PC and XBL versions will be identical. But it's a good thing that it'll have a demo, at least I can try it for myself then.
Joe Smith @ May 13th 2008 7:36PM
Yup - every Arcade title has a free Trial -- if you hate the Trial, don't buy. Seems pretty damned fair to me.
I love how price sensitive folks are on here. They'll pay $5 for a latte but scream if a game is over $10.
The Alex @ May 13th 2008 11:58PM
I'm boycotting this game simply due to the 1600 MS point price. Up in Canada we have to spend $20 for a 1400MS point... so if we want this game, we'd have to buy two 1400 point cards or one 3800 point card... and that's just stupid.